https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 15 May 2026 22:56:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2525565 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 23:02:44 +0000 ms.line 2525565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had sex, pumped, did lots of walking, sat on an exercise ball at work all day, ate spicy food, got chiropractic adjustments, drank third trimester tea, and took EPO - I have no idea if any of it helped! At 40w6d I went in for an "induction massage" and my contractions started at 1am the next morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2525529 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 21:48:13 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2525529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first came at 40+6, so I don't know if anything 'worked'...but I did all the same things with baby 2 and he came 2 hours before his due date!<br /> - a ton of red raspberry leaf tea<br /> - exercise ball and walking<br /> - homeopathic blue/black cohosh<br /> - evening primrose oil capsules both orally and vaginally<br /> - sex, using my pump for nipple stimulation<br /> - eating pineapple and spicy food </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524754 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 10:44:56 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2524754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: haha. We all have reasons I guess! I was good comfort wise up until 42 weeks, I could have gone further, but I was worried about going late and they induce then here anyway. My crap sleep and hip pain while lying in bed was my biggest complaint, but that started pretty early on for me and I didn't see it as a huge deal because it was going to be rough with a new baby anyway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524375 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 07:01:31 +0000 Astro Bee 2524375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was definitely the sex for me. I'd tried lots of walking earlier in the week and also spicy food, but after having sex at 40+3, I lost my mucus plug, and labour started 40 mins later. My water broke after a few contractions. My contractions started at 2 mins apart, and LO was born 12 hrs later. If it helps at all, we did it doggie style, which stimulated my cervix. :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524346 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 04:51:39 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2524346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnleaves: lol, DH keeps telling me just let the baby come when he's ready. The only Taurus I know for sure made some really poor choices in life and that's coloring my feelings on this a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524325 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 23:20:34 +0000 sapphire 2524325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Membrane stripping. I was only 1cm dilated but had my membranes stripped and started labor only a few hours later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524127 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 18:56:36 +0000 autumnleaves 2524127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: you are funny! Hopefully one of those activities will help! I think with LO1 staying physically active helped me. I tried spicy food too but that didn't do anything.<br /> I think I'll look into the acupressure techniques this time around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524105 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 18:29:37 +0000 mfa_lady 2524105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: Hahahahaha. For me, it was actually JUST the walking that did it. I was SO sick when I went into labor with E--I tell people I kind of think I coughed my water broken--but I had gone on a super duper long walk earlier that evening. However, I have a friend who has gone into labor hours after sex TWICE. So, seems legit. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524085 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 18:10:44 +0000 delight 2524085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did have a membrane sweep the day before going into labor but also ate a whole pineapple and tried out my pump! I was 40w on the button so it could have just been the right time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524075 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 18:00:53 +0000 Happygal 2524075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mfa_lady: I read this wrong first time as "walking and a ton of sex." I was impressed!</p> <p>I've heard eggplant parmesan can do the trick. And there used to be a cupcake sold here that people actually traveled out of town to eat b/c it was said to induce labor. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524060 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:28:18 +0000 MrsSRS 2524060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A looooong walk. Then castor oil. An ounce or so in 4 ounces of cold OJ (shake it up hard!). Repeated every two hours three times. I did that in the evening, woke up at 2 with timeable contractions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2524035 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 16:59:37 +0000 misolee 2524035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lifting my preschooler😉<br /> At my 38 week appt, the doctor told me I was barely dilated and had ways to go. LO2 was born later that night in less than like 3 hours since contraction started. </p> <p>I did nothing different or unique my second pregnancy except lifting my 3.5 year old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523912 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 15:00:19 +0000 mfa_lady 2523912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Walking a ton + sex. :) Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523906 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:55:47 +0000 lovehoneybee 2523906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in early labor, but I'm convinced that testing out my breast pump (aka nipple stimulation) helped spring me into active labor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523875 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:33:23 +0000 KT326 2523875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Spicy food may have done it for me! It was unintentional, I was 37 weeks 4 days. We had spicy pizza when we went to lunch with friends then we had a pasta dinner at the in-laws. My water broke around 1am after that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523859 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:20:01 +0000 pinkb 2523859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After an aggressive membrane sweep we walked the mall. Went into labor that evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523857 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:18:52 +0000 MoonMoon 2523857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Run2shore: oh yes I forgot acupressure! My water had broken, but I wasn't having contractions and they wanted to try pitocin, so DH googled and found that, we tried it, and contractions started almost immediately. Again, I have no idea if that's what did it, but it didn't hurt to try!</p> <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: you're right, I'm not sure RRL is known for inducing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523849 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:15:23 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2523849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tentative appointment with an acupuncturist is set! I have been on my birthing ball all afternoon!</p> <p>@birdofafeather: @MoonMoon: I've been drinking my RRL tea for weeks as a labor aid to strengthen my uterus, but I didn't know it could also help induce. </p> <p>If I'm not too tired this evening I'll take a lap around Lowes. There's a sweet old man at the Home Depot across the street from Lowes that shoos me out of the store every time he sees me. He's had three daughters and doesn't want to deliver another baby. LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523681 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 12:39:27 +0000 Run2shore 2523681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>sex and acupressure! </p> <p>I was 2 days past my due date, and DH and I did both, I went into labor 4 hours later. I am convinced it was the acupressure. DH massaged the spleen 6 (warning, it does not feel good, as it is incredibly sensitive when you are pregnant!).</p> <p>This is a good video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnEcLSHTI0s" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnEcLSHTI0s</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523667 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 12:35:05 +0000 birdofafeather 2523667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Walking and RRL tea for DD1 and a reflexology foot massage for DD2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523591 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 12:01:10 +0000 avivoca 2523591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to the grocery store and took a nap. Contractions started while I was cooking. She dropped around 38 weeks and I delivered at 40+3, but I was sitting on the birth ball daily and walking a lot trying to hurry her up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523554 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:44:23 +0000 MoonMoon 2523554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if any one thing did it for me, or if baby just wanted to come at 39 weeks. </p> <p>My baby was sunnyside up, so I'd been spending a lot of time on the yoga ball doing exercises recommended by my OB &amp; doula for that.</p> <p>I was also walking a lot, including a really steep set of steps in the neighborhood.</p> <p>I was also drinking red raspberry leaf tea and taking EPO capsules orally and vaginally.</p> <p>Oh and I was eating a lot of pineapple but mostly because it was hot out and I was craving it :silly: 🍍🍍 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523552 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:43:52 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2523552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: my doula recommended acupuncture, so she must know someone that can still do it.</p> <p>@jape14: I have fresh pineapple in the fridge. :grin: </p> <p>All good things, ladies! @Mrs. Goose: my reasons for wanting this baby out in the next 6 days is really silly- I want an Aries vs a Taurus. Even with him dropping and getting out of the bed 5-6 times a night to pee I'm not all that uncomfortable, thankfully. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523545 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:39:12 +0000 sslm 2523545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried pretty much everything but the castor oil and nothing really worked. Had 3 membrane sweeps in the span of a week... finally went into labour 41+4 and had DD 41+5... so for me I'd say it just took time/waiting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523528 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:28:56 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2523528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did everything, but was still induced at 42 weeks. My midwife suggested castor oil at 41+ 3 and I was so desperate to avoid any medical interventions that I did it. It caused a few slight contractions, (and obviously some poop, but nothing too insane) but that was about it. I ended up with basically every intervention you can get so I wish I had just relaxed about it more. But going overdue is so hard. Every day feels like an eternity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523510 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:18:03 +0000 Truth Bombs 2523510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: You went into labor after a trip to Lowes and I got pregnant after a trip to Home Depot. What's with us and hardware stores?? :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523506 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:17:12 +0000 madger 2523506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did two sessions of acupuncture, and I went into labor an hour after the second one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523501 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:14:43 +0000 lamariniere 2523501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>An enema. Seriously. My water broke with no contractions and I didn't have contractions for more than 5 hours. The hospital midwife suggested an enema as a natural way to get contractions going. It worked, contractions started within about 25 minutes of the enema being administered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523500 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:14:43 +0000 Portboston 2523500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well I didn't intend to naturally induce myself but we had sex when I was 37w4d. my water broke sometime during that night &amp; contractions started the next morning! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-natural-induction-methods-worked-for-you#post-2523495 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:12:59 +0000 jape14 2523495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>None worked for me! I did acupuncture, walked a ton, ate pineapple/drank pineapple juice, had my membranes swept, drank a bunch of tonic water (recommended by my acupuncturist), had sex, etc. I was induced at 41+1. I know a few people who had success with castor oil but I wasn't interested in trying that. (And my induction went really smoothly so I'm glad I didn't start out the labor process dehydrated from pooping my brains out!) </p>